Methods and underwater bases for using autonomous underwater vehicles for marine seismic surveys

ABSTRACT

A method for cycling autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that record seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The method includes deploying plural current AUVs on the ocean bottom; recording the seismic signals during the marine seismic survey with plural current AUVs; releasing from an underwater base a new AUV to replace a corresponding current AUV from the plural current AUVs; recovering the current AUV; and continuing to record the seismic signals with the new AUV.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/777,395, filed on Sep. 15, 2015, which is a national stage entry ofapplication PCT/EP2014/055576, filed on Mar. 20, 2014, which claimspriority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/803,617, filed onMar. 20, 2013. The entire contents of each of the above documents isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate tomethods and systems and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniquesfor performing a marine seismic survey using autonomous underwatervehicles (AUVs) that carry appropriate seismic sensors.

Discussion of the Background

Marine seismic data acquisition and processing generate a profile(image) of a geophysical structure beneath the seafloor. While thisprofile does not provide an accurate location of oil and gas reservoirs,it suggests, to those trained in the field, the presence or absence ofthese reservoirs. Thus, providing a high-resolution image of thegeophysical structures under the seafloor is an ongoing process.

Reflection seismology is a method of geophysical exploration todetermine the properties of earth's subsurface, which is especiallyhelpful in the oil and gas industry. Marine reflection seismology uses acontrolled source of energy that sends the energy into the earth. Bymeasuring the time it takes for the reflections to come back to pluralreceivers, it is possible to evaluate the depth of features causing suchreflections. These features may be associated with subterraneanhydrocarbon deposits.

A traditional system for generating seismic waves and recording theirreflections off the geological structures present in the subsurface isillustrated in FIG. 1. A vessel 100 tows an array of seismic receivers110 provided on streamers 112. Streamers may be disposed horizontally,i.e., lying at a constant depth relative to the ocean surface 114. Thestreamers may have spatial arrangements other than horizontal. Vessel100 also tows a seismic source array 116 configured to generate aseismic wave 118. Seismic wave 118 propagates downward and penetratesthe seafloor 120 until a reflecting structure 122 (reflector) eventuallyreflects the seismic wave. Reflected seismic wave 124 propagates upwarduntil it is detected by the receiver(s) 110 on streamer(s) 112. Based onthe data collected by receiver(s) 110, an image of the subsurface isgenerated by further analyses of the collected data. Seismic sourcearray 116 includes plural individual source elements, which may bedistributed in various patterns, e.g., circular, linear, at variousdepths in the water.

However, this traditional configuration is expensive because the cost ofstreamers is high. New technologies deploy plural seismic sensors on thebottom of the ocean (ocean bottom stations) to improve the coupling.Even so, positioning seismic sensors remains a challenge.

Newer technologies use autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that have apropulsion system and are programmed to move to desired positions andrecord seismic data. After recording the seismic data, the AUVs areinstructed to return to a vessel or underwater base to recharge theirbatteries and/or transfer the seismic data. Various methods have beenproposed for deploying and collecting the AUVs. However, none of theexisting methods fully address the needs of a seismic survey that usesAUVs which land on the ocean bottom to collect the seismic data.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods thatprovide an inexpensive and efficient method for deploying AUVs on theocean bottom, to record seismic waves, and resurface after recording thedata.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, there is a method for cycling autonomousunderwater vehicles that record seismic signals during a marine seismicsurvey. The method includes deploying plural current AUVs on the oceanbottom; recording the seismic signals during the marine seismic surveywith plural current AUVs; releasing from an underwater base a new AUV toreplace a corresponding current AUV from the plural current AUVs;recovering the current AUV; and continuing to record the seismic signalswith the new AUV.

According to another embodiment, there is a method for cyclingautonomous underwater vehicles that record seismic signals during amarine seismic survey. The method includes recording the seismic signalsduring the marine seismic survey with plural current AUVs deployed onthe ocean bottom; replacing during the seismic survey a current AUV fromthe plural current AUVs with a new AUV; and continuing to record theseismic signals with the new AUV.

According to yet another embodiment, there is a method of rollingautonomous underwater vehicles that record seismic signals during amarine seismic survey. The method includes recording the seismic signalsduring the marine seismic survey with plural AUVs deployed on the oceanbottom; instructing an AUV from the plural AUVs, after recording theseismic signals, to move to a new location to be surveyed; andcontinuing to record the seismic signals with the AUV at the newlocation during the same marine seismic survey.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and,together with the description, explain these embodiments. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional seismic survey system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an AUV;

FIG. 3 is a high-level schematic diagram of an AUV;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a rolling scheme for deploying AUVsduring a seismic survey system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cycling scheme for deploying AUVsduring a seismic survey system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a seismic survey having streamers andAUVs according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a deploying base and a recovery baseconnected to a support vessel according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a deployment base according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a control part of a deployment baseaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a seismic system that uses underwaterbases for handling AUVs according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method for deploying AUVs from a deploymentbase according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for guiding AUVs from a deploymentbase to a desired target position according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams of a recovery base according toan embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a control part of a recovery baseaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an inlet part of a recovery baseaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is another schematic diagram of the inlet part of the recoverybase according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a method for recovering AUVs according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a method for deploying a recovery base andrecovering AUVs according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to theaccompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawingsidentify the same or similar elements. The following detaileddescription does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of theinvention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodimentsare discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology andstructure of an AUV with seismic sensors for recording seismic waves.Note that an AUV in the following description is considered to encompassan autonomous self-propelled node that has one or more sensors capableof detecting seismic waves.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included inat least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, theappearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout the specification is not necessarily referringto the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments.

Emerging technologies in marine seismic surveys need an inexpensivesystem for deploying and recovering seismic receivers that areconfigured to operate underwater. According to an exemplary embodiment,such a seismic system includes plural AUVs, each having one or moreseismic sensors. The seismic sensors may include a hydrophone, geophone,accelerometer, electromagnetic sensor, depth sensor, or a combinationthereof.

The AUV may be inexpensively and efficiently designed, e.g., usinginternal components available off the shelf. A deployment vessel orunderwater base stores the AUVs and launches them as necessary for theseismic survey. The underwater base may be a buoy, a structure deployedon the ocean bottom that has means for communicating with the vessel, astructure floating in water, etc. The AUVs find their desired positionsusing, for example, an inertial navigation system. However, in anotherapplication, the AUVs find their desired positions using a combinationof acoustic guidance, waypoint navigation and information from variousnavigation sensors such as an inertial measurement unit, echo sounder,pressure gauge, etc. Other systems or methods may be used for findingtheir desired positions. Thus, the AUVs may be preprogrammed orpartially programmed to find their desired positions. If the AUVs arepartially programmed, the final details for finding the desired positionmay be received, acoustically, from the vessel or the underwater basewhen the AUV is launched from the vessel.

As the deployment vessel or underwater base is launching the AUVs, ashooting vessel for generating seismic waves may be used to generateseismic waves. The shooting vessel may tow one or more seismic sourcearrays, each one including plural source elements. A source element maybe an impulsive element, e.g., a gun, or a vibratory element. Theshooting vessel or another vessel, e.g., the recovering vessel, thedeployment vessel, or the underwater base, may then instruct selectedAUVs to return to the underwater base or to resurface so they can becollected. In one embodiment, the deployment vessel also tows and shootssource arrays as it deploys the AUVs. In still another exemplaryembodiment, only the deployment vessel is configured to retrieve theAUVs. However, it is possible that only the shooting vessel isconfigured to retrieve the AUVs. Alternatively, a dedicated recoveryvessel may wake up the AUVs and instruct them to return to the surfacefor recovery.

In one exemplary embodiment, the number of AUVs is in the thousands.Thus, the deployment vessel is configured to hold all of them at thebeginning of the seismic survey and then to launch them as the surveyadvances. Alternatively, a set of underwater bases is used to handle allthe AUVs.

In an embodiment, the seismic survey is performed with a combination ofseismic sensors on the AUVs and seismic sensors on streamers towed bythe deployment vessel, the shooting vessel, or both of them.

In still another embodiment, when selected AUVs are instructed to leavetheir recording locations, they may be programmed to go to a desiredrendezvous point where they will be collected by the shooting vessel,the deployment vessel, the recovery vessel, or the underwater base. Theselected AUVs may be chosen from a given row or column if that type ofarrangement is used. The shooting, deployment, recovery vessel, or theunderwater base may be configured to send acoustic signals to thereturning AUVs to guide them to the desired position.

Once on the vessel or the underwater base, the AUVs are checked forproblems, their batteries may be recharged, and the stored seismic datamay be transferred to the vessel for processing. After this maintenancephase, the AUVs are again deployed as the seismic survey continues.Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, the AUVs are continuously deployedand retrieved.

The above-noted embodiments are now discussed in more detail with regardto the figures. FIG. 2 illustrates an AUV 200 having a body 202 to whichone or more propellers 204 are attached. A motor 206 inside the body 202activates propeller 204. Other propulsion systems may be used, e.g.,jets, thrusters, pumps, etc. Motor 206 may be controlled by a processor208. Processor 208 may also be connected to a seismic sensor 210.Seismic sensor 210 may be shaped so that when the AUV lands on theseabed, the seismic sensor achieves a good coupling (e.g., direct) withthe seabed sediments. The seismic sensor may include one or more of ahydrophone, geophone, accelerometer, etc. For example, if a 4C (fourcomponent) survey is desired, the seismic sensor 210 includes threeaccelerometers and a hydrophone, i.e., a total of four sensors.Alternatively, the seismic sensor may include three geophones and ahydrophone. Of course, other sensor combinations are possible.

A memory unit 212 may be connected to processor 208 and/or seismicsensor 210 for storing a seismic sensor's 210 recorded data. A battery214 may be used to power all these components. Battery 214 may beallowed to change its position along a track 216 to alter the AUV'scenter of gravity.

The AUV may also include an inertial navigation system (INS) 218configured to guide the AUV to a desired location. An inertialnavigation system includes at least one module containingaccelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers or other motion-sensingdevices. The INS is initially provided with the position and velocity ofthe AUV from another source, for example, a human operator, a globalpositioning system (GPS) satellite receiver, another INS from thevessel, etc., and thereafter, the INS computes its own updated positionand velocity by integrating (and optionally filtrating) informationreceived from its motion sensors. The advantage of an INS is that itrequires no external references in order to determine its position,orientation, or velocity once it has been initialized. As noted above,alternative systems may be used, as, for example, acoustic positioning.

Besides, or instead of, the INS 218, the AUV 200 may include a compass220 and other sensors 222 such as, for example, an altimeter formeasuring its altitude, a pressure gauge, an interrogator module, etc.The AUV may optionally include an obstacle avoidance system 224 and acommunication device 226 (e.g., Wi-Fi device, a device that uses anacoustic link) or another data transfer device capable of wirelesslytransferring data. One or more of these elements may be linked toprocessor 208. The AUV further includes an antenna 228 (which may beflush with the body of the AUV) and a corresponding acoustic system 230for communicating with the deploying, shooting, or recovery vessel orthe underwater base. Stabilizing fins and/or wings 232 for guiding theAUV to the desired position may be used together with propeller 204 forsteering the AUV. However, such fins may be omitted. The AUV may includea buoyancy system 234 for controlling the AUV's depth and keeping theAUV steady after landing.

Acoustic system 230 may be an Ultra-short baseline (USBL) system,sometimes known as a Super Short Base Line (SSBL). This system uses amethod of underwater acoustic positioning. A complete USBL systemincludes a transceiver, which is mounted on a pole under a vessel, and atransponder/responder on the AUV. The processor is used to calculate aposition from the ranges and bearings measured by the transceiver. Forexample, the transceiver transmits an acoustic pulse that is detected bythe subsea transponder, which replies with its own acoustic pulse. Thisreturn pulse is detected by the transceiver on the vessel. The time fromtransmission of the initial acoustic pulse until the reply is detectedis measured by the USBL system and is converted into a range. Tocalculate a subsea position, the USBL calculates both a range and anangle from the transceiver to the subsea AUV. Angles are measured by thetransceiver, which contains an array of transducers. The transceiverhead normally contains three or more transducers separated by a baselineof, e.g., 10 cm or less. Alternatively, an SBL (short base line) systemor an inverted short baseline (iSBL) system may be used.

With regard to the AUV's internal configuration, FIG. 3 schematicallyshows a possible arrangement for the internal components of an AUV 300.AUV 300 has a CPU 302 a that is connected to INS 304 (or compass oraltitude sensor and acoustic transmitter for receiving acoustic guidancefrom the mother vessel), wireless interface 306, pressure gauge 308, andtransponder 310. CPU 302 a may be located in a high-level control block312. The INS is advantageous when the AUV's trajectory has been changed,for example, because of an encounter with an unexpected object, e.g.,fish, debris, etc., because the INS is capable of taking the AUV to thedesired final position as it does for currents, wave motion, etc. Also,the INS may have high precision. For example, it is expected that for atarget having a depth of 300 m, the INS and/or the acoustic guidance iscapable of steering the AUV within +/−5 m of the desired targetlocation. However, the INS may be configured to receive data from thevessel to increase its accuracy.

An optional CPU 302 b, in addition to the CPU 302 a, is part of alow-level control module 314 configured to control attitude actuators316 and propulsion system 318. The high-level control block 312 maycommunicate via a link with the low-level control module 314 as shown inthe figure. One or more batteries 320 may be located in the AUV 300. Aseismic payload 322 is located inside the AUV for recording the seismicsignals. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that more modules maybe added to the AUV. For example, if a seismic sensor is outside theAUV's body, a skirt may be provided around or next to the sensor. Awater pump may pump water from the skirt to create a suction effect,achieving a good coupling between the sensor and the seabed. However,there are embodiments in which no coupling with the seabed is desired.For those embodiments, no skirt is used.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which a seismic survey system 400includes plural AUVs 402 a-c distributed across the ocean bottom 404.AUVs 402 are in direct contact with the ocean bottom 404 to achieve abetter coupling between sensors of an AUV and the ocean bottom. AUVs 402a are inside an area 406, which constitutes the active recording area,while AUVs 402 b and 402 c are outside active recording area 406. AUVs402 b are inside an already recorded area 408, while AUVs 402 c aredistributed in an area 409 where they are going to become active andrecord seismic data. Seismic waves are generated by a seismic source 410that is towed by a vessel 412. A seismic source may be towed by anotherdevice or it may be an autonomous source.

As an example, which is not intended to limit the applicability of theclaims, it is possible that area 420, which is to be surveyed, has alength L of about 50 km and an width W of about 10 km while the activerecording area 406 may have a length l of about 4 km and a width ofabout 2 km. Other numbers are possible depending on the conditions ofthe seismic survey.

As area 420 to be surveyed is too large to be simultaneously coveredwith AUVs, one approach for recording seismic data over the entire area,without having to fully cover it with AUVs, is to continuously roll aset of AUVs ahead of the seismic source. More specifically, considerthat instead of simultaneously distributing AUVs over the entire area420, AUVs are distributed only over areas 406, 408, and 409, whichtogether may represent a percentage of the entire area 420. For example,it is possible that a total surface of areas 406, 408 and 409constitutes 20% or less of the surface of area 420.

Thus, according to this embodiment, AUVs 402 a are active inside therecording area 406, AUVs 402 c are ready to record seismic data insidethe future recording area 409 and AUVs 402 b just finished recording theseismic data inside the recorded area 408. In order to have further AUVsready for recording seismic data as vessel 412 advances along directionX, AUVs 402 b of recorded area 408 are instructed to roll at newposition 411 as indicated by arrow 413. Thus, the AUVs are rolled fromone area to another area while the seismic waves are generated so that alimited number of AUVs can be used to cover the entire survey area 420.The details about moving the AUVs from one area to another area arediscussed later.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, instead of or inaddition to using the rolling procedure discussed with regard to FIG. 4,it is possible to use a cycling procedure as now discussed. In otherwords, the cycling procedure may be an alternative or a complement tothe rolling procedure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a seismic survey system500 includes a set of AUVs 502 a distributed within a recording area506, a set of AUVs 502 b within an already recorded area 508 and a setof AUVs 502 c to become active. All the AUVs are located on the oceanbottom and they may be actually attached to the ocean bottom with anappropriate device to obtain a better coupling. Vessel 512 tows seismicsource 510 while another vessel 530 stores plural AUVs 532. If there isa need to replace AUV 502 a before, during, or after the seismic source510 has passed the actively recording area 506, AUV 532 may be deployedto replace AUV 502 a. In one embodiment, a set of AUVs 532 is deployedat the same time to replace an entire set of AUVs 502 a. This cycling ofAUVs may happen while the set of AUVs 502 a is actively recordingseismic data. The set of AUVs 532 has recharged batteries and theirmemories may be empty while the set of AUVs 502 a to be replaced mayhave drained batteries and full memories.

One reason for taking such an approach is now discussed. Consider, asillustrated in FIG. 6, that a traditional seismic survey 600 includes avessel 642 that tows seismic source 644 and one or more streamers 646.Streamers 646 include seismic sensors 648 that record seismic wavesgenerated by seismic source 644. However, while following its path 640,vessel 642 may encounter an obstacle 650, for example, a rig orplatform, which needs to be avoided, or shallow waters where the vesselcannot go, etc. Thus, vessel 642 follows a modified path 652 thataffects the seismic data to be recorded around obstacle 650. For thisreason, AUVs 602 a are deployed around obstacle 650 to produce in-fillseismic data that is missing from the seismic data recorded withstreamers 646. In one application, AUVs 602 a are deployed prior tovessel 642 arriving at obstacle 650. The time prior to this event may bein the order of hours if not days.

Thus, it is possible that by the time vessel 642 arrives near obstacle650, one or more AUVs 602 a will need to be replaced with new AUVs 632that have a freshly charged battery and/or empty memory. Alternatively,it is possible that vessel 642 has passed AUVs 602 a a first time, andwhen the same vessel passes AUVs 602 a a second time, after the vesselhas completed its line 640 and is coming back along an adjacent line,some AUVs 602 s have already stayed for hours or days on the oceanbottom and are ready to be replaced by new AUVs. Thus, a predeterminedcondition for changing one AUV with another AUV may be related to anamount of power available in the current AUV and/or an amount ofavailable memory in the current AUV. Further, the predeterminedcondition may be related to enough seismic signals being recorded forprocessing purposes, and/or enough seismic signals being recorded forquality checking seismic data, and/or a weather forecast (i.e., if oneweek of bad weather is forecasted, considering a one week time delay inreplacing the AUVs). Thus, new AUVs 632 (new in the sense that theirbatteries are charged and/or memory emptied of previous data) aredeployed from support vessel 630 or an underwater base to replace one ormore of AUVs 602 a that need such replacement. As noted above, thisreplacement or cycling can take place when vessel 642 is away from theAUVs or while the AUVs are actively recording seismic data originated byvessel 642.

Another scenario for which the cycling procedure discussed above isappropriate is when an in-fill mission is performed which lasts fordays, e.g., about 10 days. For this embodiment, suppose that aconventional streamer survey is performed first and it lasts 10 days.After this, the AUVs are used to collect seismic data for in-fillreasons, i.e., to fill in the missing data from the seismic datarecorded with the streamers. Such a mission may take a couple of daysfor cross-line orientated shooting lines and another couple of days forin-line orientated shooting lines. Thus, such an in-fill mission maylast one or more weeks; during this time, some or all the AUVs deployedon the ocean bottom would eventually need to be replaced with new ones.However, note that a survey may take about 40 days and the AUVs may becycled about three times during this time interval, resulting in anaverage of 10 days underwater deployment for each AUV.

Next, various possible deployment methods of the above noted AUVs arediscussed. FIG. 7 shows a seismic survey system 700 that includes avessel 703 that, with the help of a crane 705, deploys an underwaterbase (e.g., a cage) 706 underwater and maintains the cage at a givenunderwater position described by coordinates (x,y,z). To achieve thiscondition, crane 705 may have a controller 710 that coordinates a heavemechanism 712 for maintaining given position (x,y,z) despite the normalmovement of vessel 703. Note that given position (x,y,z) may be on orabove the ocean bottom. In one application, controller 710 is part of aglobal controller 714 associated with the vessel's navigation system.

Underwater base 706 accommodates one or more AUVs 732 that are deployedwhen necessary to replace existing AUVs 702 a already located on theocean bottom 704. According to this embodiment, one or more AUVs 702 aneed to be replaced by AUVs 732, which have charged batteries. For thissituation, the fully charged AUVs 732 are deployed from underwater base706 after being instructed to land next to a corresponding AUV 702 aneeding a replacement. AUVs 702 a's positions are known because eithervessel 703 has used its detection system 707 (e.g., USBL) to determinethose positions, or underwater base 706 has used a similar detectionsystem 709, or AUVs 702 a have calculated (e.g., using an INS system)their landing positions and have transmitted this information, e.g.,using an acoustic modem, to underwater base 706 or vessel 703.Alternatively, the AUVs positions are known prior to deploying thembecause they have been pre-plotted.

Thus, AUVs 732 know where to land on the ocean bottom 704 after beinglaunched from underwater node 706. After new AUVs 732 have landed on theocean bottom 704 next to the AUVs 702 a that need to be replaced,existing AUVs 702 a detach from the ocean bottom and navigate towardunderwater base 706 to be retrieved on the deck of vessel 703. If thiscycling procedure is taking place during active seismic recording, thereis no substantial gap in the recorded data, as the transfer fromexisting AUVs 702 a to new AUVs 732 is achieved while recording theseismic data. However, a disadvantage of this procedure might be thenoise introduced by those AUVs traveling toward the recording AUVsand/or the potential collisions between the existing AUVs and the newAUVs. Once the underwater base is full with old AUVs, crane 705retrieves the base and the AUVs on the vessel's deck and a maintenancephase and/or data transfer phase occurs.

The embodiment discussed with regard to FIG. 7 may be modified toinclude two underwater bases, a launching base 706 and a recovery base706′. With this configuration, launching base 706 launches new AUVs 732,and the old AUVs 702 a do not return to launching base 706, but ratherto recovery base 706′. Thus, it is possible to have the following threedifferent scenarios:

-   -   (i) first launch new AUVs 732 and after they land on the ocean        bottom, then recover existing AUVs 702 a;    -   (ii) simultaneously launch AUVs 732 from base 706 and instruct        AUVs 702 a to go to recovery base 706′; this scenario is        efficient but introduces gaps into the recorded data and it is        prone to AUVs collision;    -   (iii) first instruct existing AUVs 702 a to go to recovery base        706′ and then instruct new AUVs 732 to land on the ocean bottom        at the positions previously occupied by the existing AUVs 702 a;        under this scenario it may be possible to land the new AUVs very        close to the previous positions of the old AUVs but may also        introduce gaps into the recorded data.

Those skilled in the art would recognize that the above-discussedembodiments may be varied to achieve the same or similar results. Forexample, instead of a vessel holding both the deployment and recoverybases, two vessels may be used, each one holding one of the two bases.Alternatively, more than two bases may be used at the same time.Further, it is possible to land the bases on the ocean bottom or toleave them floating from a buoy. Furthermore, the two cranes illustratedin FIG. 7 may be placed at any location along the deck of the vessel,for example, both cranes at the back of the vessel. In one application,cages 706 and/or 706′ are deployed on the ocean bottom and are notsuspended in the water.

One possible configuration of the deployment base is now discussed. Inone embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, deployment base 800 may have acontrol part 810, a storing part 820 for storing the AUVs, and a supportpart 830. The three parts are attached to each other and serve thefollowing purposes: control part 810 may include a control system 812that coordinates the launching of the AUVs, and also provides beaconsignals to the AUVs while traveling to their final destinations. Controlpart 810 may also include an acoustic device 814 for generating andtransmitting the beacon signals as discussed later. Control part 810 maybe attached above storing part 820 as illustrated in the figure. Otherpositions for the control part may be used. Storing part 820 isconfigured to hold a certain number of AUVs, for example, 20 or 40.Other numbers are possible as would be appreciated by those skilled inthe art. For example, it is envisioned that storing part 820 may havedimensions in the order of meters, e.g., 3×3×5 m. Storing part 820 isattached above support part 830 and is configured to be flooded. Storingpart 820 has a mechanism to lock the AUVs during operation of the crane,and is configured to provide a communication interface with the AUVs andthe control part.

Support part 830 may be a strong structure designed to support theweight of the control part and the storing part. Also, the support partis designed in such a way that avoids the burial of the deployment baseinto the ocean bottom. However, the support part is also designed topartially burry into the ocean bottom to stabilize the storing part asthis part needs to be immobile to achieve the desired acoustic guidanceperformance.

A schematic representation of the functional units of a deployment base900 is illustrated in FIG. 9. Deployment base 900 includes, as discussedabove with reference to FIG. 8, a control system 912 and an acousticsystem 914. Control system 912 is functionally connected to the storingpart 920, as now discussed. Control system 912 may include a variety ofelements, some of them illustrated in FIG. 9. A clock 940 (which may bea high-precision clock) is connected to a navigation device 942, andboth the clock 940 and the navigation device 942 are connected to apower source 944 (e.g., a battery). Various other electronic components946 may also be provided in the control system, for example, tointerface with storing part 920 and acoustic system 914.

Navigation device 942 may include an inertial navigation system (see,e.g., INS 218), an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS), oranother similar device. Navigation device 942 is used for determining anaccurate position and orientation of the underwater base. For example,when crane 705, illustrated in FIG. 7, deploys underwater base 706/900on the ocean bottom, the underwater base freely rotates while beingmoved from the vessel to the ocean bottom and also can change its X andY coordinates (if the X and Y coordinates describe the ocean surface andthe Z coordinate describes the depth). However, for guiding the new AUVsto their new positions and for being able to recover the existing AUVs,the underwater base needs to know, as accurately as possible, its ownabsolute position. By knowing the original coordinates (i.e., when theunderwater base is released into the water, the vessel's GPS is used todetermine this position) of the underwater node and its trajectory(using the INS or AHRS) while traveling underwater toward the oceanbottom, the underwater base is capable of calculating its final x,y,zposition on the ocean bottom, and also its orientation, e.g., an anglebetween (i) a longitudinal axis 924 of a launching tube 922 that is usedby the storing part to launch the new AUVs and (ii) a reference axis orsystem of axes (e.g., x). Launching tube 922 may include a lockingmechanism 926 for locking a corresponding AUV during a transition of theunderwater base from the vessel to the ocean bottom.

The x,y,z position and its orientation may also be determined by anacoustic device installed on the vessel, for example, USBL, and thisinformation may be transmitted to the underwater base via an acousticmodem. For the purpose of exchanging this and other information (e.g.,status of deployment/recovery, etc.) with the vessel while underwater,the underwater node also has a modem port 950. A power port 952 isprovided for charging the power unit 944 when the underwater node is onthe vessel's deck, or for connecting to an underwater device that hasthe capability to provide power. Control system 912 may also have a port954 for synchronizing, when on the vessel's deck, clock 940, downloadingmission parameters, uploading data acquired during launch and recovery,etc. Alternatively or in addition, a physical connection (cable) may beprovided between the underwater base and the vessel.

Deployment base 900 also includes an acoustic system 914 for providingguidance to departing and/or arriving AUVs. Acoustic system 914 mayinclude three or more acoustic beacons 970 a-d (although FIG. 9 showsfour acoustic beacons, an underwater base having only three acousticbeacons is also possible) located, for example, on control part 810illustrated in FIG. 8. Thus, these acoustic beacons may form a shortbase line (SBL) system 970. Other locations of the acoustic beacons onthe underwater base are possible. Having more acoustic beacons isdesirable so that during a seismic survey, each AUV has a “direct view”of at least three acoustic beacons for positioning itself. In oneapplication, at least two of the acoustic beacons are positioned withina base of a pyramid, while at least one of the acoustic beacons ispositioned at the top of the pyramid. In this arrangement, each AUV hasthe capability to position itself in not only a horizontal, but also ina vertical plane relative to the ocean bottom.

An acoustic beacon may include a ceramic element 972 that emits theacoustic signal and corresponding electronics 974 that interacts withthe control system 912 and also controls the ceramic element. FIG. 9illustrates an electric link 980 between the control system 912 andacoustic beacons 970 a-d, and also an electric link 982 between batteryunit 944 and acoustic beacons 970 a-d. FIG. 9 also illustrates a link984 between control system 912 and launching tubes 922 of storing part920. This link 984 may be a wired or wireless link.

In one application, a distance between two acoustic beacons may be inthe order of meters, for example, 2.5 m. With such a configuration, itis expected that an AUV could detect its position from 1 km away, with agood precision, e.g., 1 m. As the technology improves, it is expectedthat these numbers will become even better. Control system 912 isprogrammed to select appropriate frequency channels for the acousticbeacons, to adjust the channels if necessary, to synchronize theacoustic beacons, and to exchange information with the acoustic beacons,e.g., to send commands to interrogate the AUVs. In one application,control system 912 is capable of interrogating the AUVs about theirposition and their status, instructing them to return to the underwaterbase, etc. Thus, acoustic system 914 may provide not only AUVs guidancefunctionality, but also AUVs communication, wired or wireless.

An entire sequence for deploying the underwater base and launching thecorresponding AUVs is now discussed with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.FIG. 10 illustrates a seismic survey system 1000 including a vessel 1002and at least one underwater base 900. Note that vessel 1002 may carryany number of underwater bases 900. A heave compensated crane 1005,similar to that described in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, mayhandle underwater base 900. From its initial position on the deck (whichposition may be calculated by the GPS 1007 of the vessel), asillustrated in step 1100 of FIG. 11, underwater base 900 computes itsfinal position on the ocean bottom 1004. The computing step relies notonly on the base's initial position when launched in water, but also onthe AHRS or INS system's output for determining the entire trajectory ofthe underwater base, from the vessel until it lands on the ocean bottom.The result of the computation step is an accurate final position (x,y,z)on the ocean bottom and an orientation of the base relative to, forexample, longitudinal axis 924 of the launching tubes (see FIG. 9). Thisposition may also be calculated by the USBL of the vessel and thentransmitted through an acoustic modem or a wire to the underwater base.In step 1102, the underwater base calculates the absolute position ofeach beacon, based on the known geometry of the SBL (i.e., the locationsof the acoustic beacons) and the final position of the underwater basecalculated in step 1100. The beacons' positions are transmitted in step1104 to the AUVs 932 that are stored in the storing part of theunderwater base. This communication may be wireless or wired.

In step 1106, the control system instructs the locking mechanism torelease the corresponding AUV and in step 1108 the AUV is instructed, bythe control system, to start its mission. At the same time, controlsystem coordinates in step 1110 the acoustic beacons to send the correctacoustic signals so that the launched AUV can determine its positionrelative to the underwater base and/or ocean floor. This positiondetermination happens in step 1112, while the AUV 932 travels fromunderwater base 900 to target position 980. The position determinationinvolves the AUV's processor in calculating distances to at least threeacoustic beacons and, based, for example, on triangulation, determiningits absolute position relative to target position 980. This step may berepeated until the AUV reaches its target position. Once at the targetposition, AUV lands on the ocean bottom in step 1114 and, optionally,may use a drilling device to attach (connect) to the ocean floor. Then,AUV starts recording seismic data. The recording step may be triggeredby the underwater base, the vessel, or an internal mechanism of the AUV.

The underwater base may use its iSBL or USBL system to compute the finalposition of AUVs. This data may be stored for later use or transmittedto the vessel. If this embodiment uses a deployment base and a recoverybase, after the last AUV has been launched from the deployment base, thedeployment base is retrieved in step 1116 back on vessel 1002, to beprepared for another mission.

A method for deploying AUVs underwater at desired target positions isnow discussed with regard to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 includes a step 1200 ofdeploying an underwater base to the ocean bottom. The underwater baseincludes plural AUVs that need to be deployed at the desired positions.In step 1202 the underwater base calculates its final position andorientation and transmits these results to the AUVs stored in theunderwater base. The AUVs also store their target positions. In step1204 the AUVs are launched, sequentially or simultaneously, and in step1206 acoustic signals emitted by acoustic beacons of the underwater baseare sent to the AUVs for determining their absolute positions. The AUVsknow the exact locations of the acoustic beacons (this information wasreceived by each AUV prior to departing the underwater base) and bytriangulating the acoustic beacons, the AUVs are able to determine theirabsolute positions, relative to the ocean bottom. As described inprevious embodiments, the AUVs are capable of adjusting theirtrajectories, based on the calculated absolute positions, to arrive atthe target positions.

Before, while, or after the newly released AUVs have traveled to theirfinal destination, the existing AUVs are instructed, in one embodiment,to return to a recovery base, e.g., recovery base 706′, as discussedwith regard to FIG. 7. The recovery base is now discussed in more detailwith regard to FIGS. 13A and 13B.

Recovery base 1300 may include a control part 1310, an inlet part 1320,a storing part 1330, and a support part 1340 configured to support thecontrol part, the inlet part, and the storing part, and also to preventa burial of the recovery base. However, support part 1340 may be alsodesigned to partially bury into the ocean bottom to make the rest of thebase immobile. Similar to the deployment base, the recovery base mayhandle the AUVs simultaneously or sequentially. The recovery base may beattached to a heave compensated crane as in FIG. 7, or it may bereleased on the ocean bottom and then be recovered by using, forexample, a floating buoy. Control part 1310 may include a control system1312 and an acoustic system 1314. While the control system and acousticsystem of recovery base may be similar to those described in FIG. 9, theinlet part 1320 and storing part 1330 are different.

With regard to the inlet part 1320, the functionality includes detectingthat an AUV has entered the recovery base and also instructing AUVs toswitch off their propulsion systems. In this way, after an AUV entersthrough the inlet part 1320 (which is the gate to the storing part1330), the AUV simply falls into the storing part 1330 as its propulsionsystem is shut down. This is advantageous for conserving the energy leftin its battery and also for preventing the AUV from escaping the storingpart. For these purposes, as illustrated in FIGS. 13B and 14, the inletpart 1320 may have an AUV interface 1322 that is configured to detectthe entrance of an AUV and also to identify the AUV. In one application,each AUV has a unique identification ID which may be detected by the AUVinterface 1322. For example, AUV interface 1322 includes an acousticmodem that interrogates the AUV about its ID. After the ID is checkedagainst, for example, a table stored in the memory of the control system1312, AUV interface 1322 instructs the AUV to shut down its propulsionsystem. In one embodiment, the instruction to shut down the propulsionsystem is sent after a predetermined amount of time to make sure thatthe AUV has entered the storing part. The storing part 1330 may besimply a chamber for receiving the recovered AUV. In one application,inlet part 1320 has an inclined surface 1324, as illustrated in FIG. 15,for deviating AUVs 1332 into the storing part.

Acoustic system 1314 may be different than the one shown in FIG. 9.Thus, for this embodiment, acoustic system 1314 may include, as shown inFIG. 15, a transducer (e.g., pinger) 1350 located in the center of theinlet part and configured to emit a signal. The AUV 1332 then uses itsUSBL system 1333 to detect the emitted signal and to approach the inletpart 1320. Acoustic system 1314 may also include one or more acousticbeacons with a configuration that allows the AUV to find a height of theinlet part. The acoustic beacons may be those shown in FIG. 14 orothers. Control system 1312 is configured to control the transducer andone or more acoustic beacons to coordinate the recovery of the AUVs.With this configuration, once deployed on the ocean bottom, the recoverybase sends an acoustic wake-up message to the AUVs that need to berecovered. The recovery base then activates its acoustic system to allowthe AUVs to position themselves, regarding the inlet part and find theinlet part. The control system ensures that the beacons emit therequired signals at the required instants. Knowing the direction of theinlet part, the AUVs navigate to enter the recovery base. Upon enteringthe inlet part, each AUV triggers the AUV interface and stops itsmission.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, acoustic system1614 includes at least two transducers T1 and T2. Transducer T1 may beused to send a (unique) signal to wake-up AUV 1632 or a set of AUVs thatform a group. This unique signal is recognized by a single AUV and notby the others or by the group and not by other groups. AUV 1632 takesoff from its location on the ocean bottom and enters a homing phase instep 1700 as illustrated in FIG. 17. AUV 1632, while navigating in thevolume of water, it is attracted to the center of the inlet part 1620 bythe acoustic system 1614. This system may operate in a frequency rangebetween 20 and 30 kHz.

The two transducers Ti and T2 are synchronized to transmit, for example,a 10 ms pulse every second (with a transmission from transducer T2shifted from 100 ms in time from a transmission from transducer T1) andthey are located on a center pole 1662 of the mechanical frame of therecovery base. The two transducers T1 and T2 are, in one embodiment,equidistantly located (e.g., 3 m) from the “recovery navigation plane”1664 that AUV 1632 follows during the homing phase. Central pole 1662may extend throughout the storing part. In one application, the centralpole extends outside the recovery base and ends up with a hook 1663 thatconnects to a crane. In still another application, the central pole doesnot enter the storing part, but the second transducer T2 is placedinside the storing part, symmetrically located from transducer T1relative to the recovery navigation plane. The recovery navigation plane1664 is designed to extend, for example, substantially perpendicular onthe center pole 1662. In one application, the recovery navigation planeintersects inlet part 1620 as illustrated in FIG. 16. In still anotherapplication, the recovery navigation plane is designed to extend betweeninlet part 1620 and storing part 1630. In still another application,inlet part 1320/1620 has an actuation mechanism 1690, controlled forexample by the control system 1312, and configured to lower and raisethe inlet part. For example, while the recovery base is traveling fromthe vessel to the ocean bottom, or the other way around, actuationmechanism 1690 closes the gap between inlet part 1620 and storing part1630 so that no AUV escapes. However, when the recovery underwater baselands on the ocean bottom, actuation mechanism 1690 raises the inletpart 1620 to provide enough clearance C for the AUV to enter the storingpart. In one embodiment, clearance C is equal to or larger than a heightof the AUV.

The phased receiving array 1660 located on AUV 1632, e.g., on its nose,may include at least three hydrophones that are configured to capturethe signals emitted by transducers T1 and T2. Processing capabilities ofthe AUV, e.g., its processor and accompanying software, are configuredto calculate the direction and/or distance to the center pole 1662 andthe navigation attitude, relative to the recovery navigation plane 1664.

Following the recovery navigation plane 1664, AUV 1632 eventually hitsthe AUV sensitive deflector 1322 and falls into storing part 1630. AUV1632 may be programmed to switch in step 1702 from the homing phase tothe impact-detecting mode. To achieve this, the AUV's processor may beconfigured to compare an estimated distance to the center pole 1662 oranother reference point with a predetermined distance, e.g., 5 m, andwhen the estimated distance is smaller than the predetermined distance,to automatically switch from the homing phase to the impact detectionmode. During the impact detection mode, the AUV may be configured toreduce its speed to a certain percentage of the normal speed, allowingit more time to react and change its course, if necessary, and also tohit the AUV interface 1322 with less force.

If located on the upper part of the AUV, the phased receiving array 1660will directly hit the AUV interface 1322 and the impact detection modewill make the AUV's processor detect the impact shock, which ischaracterized by high energy and a larger frequency bandwidth. In oneapplication, any part of the AUV may hit the AUV interface 1322 and makethe AUV's processor detect the impact shock. When the impact shock isdetected in step 1702, the AUV's processor instructs the thrustersand/or jet pumps to stop in step 1704, resulting in a slow dive of theAUV down into the storing part, as the AUV is negatively buoyant.

The sensitive AUV interface 1322 may be configured to also detect theimpact, because, in one embodiment, the AUV interface is made of one orseveral quadrants of piezoelectric fabric material, such aspiezoelectric poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), all of them connect tothe acoustic system 1614. Thus, the acoustic system may condition andprocess the PVDF generated impact signals and inform the control systemof the recovery base accordingly. In one application, the control systemmay communicate this info to the respective AUV to offer a redundancymechanism for making sure that the AUV enters the immobilization phasein step 1704. In step 1706, the AUVs are stacked in the storing part andthen the entire recovery base is brought back on the vessel.

The operational model discussed with regard to FIG. 17 is designed suchthat not all AUVs arrive at the same time at the inlet part. In otherwords, it is expected that a single AUV hits the AUV interface at anyinstant. Thus, the control system knows the number of recovered AUVs andcan send a status report to the support vessel using its embedded modem.

In one application, recovery base may have one or more cameras 1680 sothat visual information of the stack of AUVs captured inside the storingpart can also be transmitted via modem to the support vessel. Once thedesired AUVs have been recovered, the recovery base is lifted back tothe support vessel.

A method for recovering AUVs from the ocean bottom is now discussed withregard to FIG. 18. In step 1800, an empty recovery base is deployed onthe ocean bottom. Once on the ocean bottom, the acoustic system isactivated to wake up the desired AUVs in step 1802 and to broadcastguidance signals for those AUVs in step 1804. Those AUVs that were wokenup start to navigate towards the recovery base and adjust theirtrajectories in step 1806 based on received signals that are indicativeof a recovery navigation plane. The recovery navigation plane is definedby the physical arrangement of the sensors forming the acoustic system.In step 1808, the AUVs interact with an AUV interface of the recoverybase, and as a result of this interaction, the AUVs are instructed toswitch off their propulsion system and fall into a storing part of thebase. Thus, the AUVs are stacked in step 1820 in the storing part. Inone application, the recovery base identifies the AUVs entering thestoring part. In step 1812, the recovery base is brought back on thevessel for recovering the seismic data from the AUVs and for replacingor recharging their batteries. The above noted steps may be performed inthe order illustrated in FIG. 18 or in another order that is consistentwith the description of the other embodiments. Also, these steps may bemodified, reduced or enlarged based on the discussed embodiments as willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art.

One or more of the exemplary embodiments discussed above disclose adeployment base, a recovery base, and methods for deploying, recovering,and cycling or rolling AUVs during or after a seismic survey. It shouldbe understood that this description is not intended to limit theinvention. On the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended tocover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included inthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.Further, in the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide acomprehensive understanding of the claimed invention. However, oneskilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may bepracticed without such specific details.

Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodimentsare described in the embodiments in particular combinations, eachfeature or element can be used alone without the other features andelements of the embodiments, or in various combinations with or withoutother features and elements disclosed herein.

This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosedto enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, includingmaking and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by theclaims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled inthe art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for the deployment or retrieval ofseismic nodes on or near the seabed, comprising an underwater basecoupled to a surface vessel, wherein the underwater base stores aplurality of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), wherein each of theAUVs comprises one or more seismic sensors and a propulsion system,wherein the underwater base is configured to be lowered and raised fromthe surface vessel to a subsea position with the plurality of AUVs; andwherein the underwater base comprises a control system for launching oneor more of the plurality of AUVs from the underwater base.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the underwater base acts both as a launching baseand a recovery base.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the underwaterbase comprises an inlet part for receiving the plurality of AUVs and astoring part for storing the plurality of AUVs.
 4. The system of claim3, wherein the inlet part is configured to detect and identify an AUVduring entrance into the underwater base.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the storing part comprises a chamber.
 6. The system of claim 3,wherein the plurality of AUVs are stacked in the storing part.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the underwater base comprises one or morestacks for storing the plurality of AUVs.
 8. A method for the deploymentof a plurality of seismic nodes on or near the seabed, comprisingstoring a first plurality of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in anunderwater base, wherein each AUV comprises one or more seismic sensorsand a propulsion system; lowering the underwater base from a surfacevessel to a subsea location; launching the first plurality of AUVs fromthe underwater base while the underwater base is coupled to the surfacevessel; and deploying each of the first plurality of AUVs at a positionon the seabed.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the launching step isbased on communications from the underwater base.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising guiding the first plurality of AUVs to oneor more seabed locations based on communications provided by theunderwater base.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising unlockingthe first plurality of AUVs prior to launching them from the underwaterbase.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising maintaining with aheave compensated crane the underwater base during deployment of thefirst plurality of AUVs.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein thelaunching step is performed sequentially for each of the first pluralityof AUVs.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising: lifting theunderwater base to the surface vessel; storing a second plurality ofAUVs in the underwater base; lowering the underwater base to a subseaposition; and launching the second plurality of AUVs from the underwaterbase.
 15. A method for the retrieval of a plurality of seismic nodes onor near the seabed, comprising deploying an underwater base from asurface vessel to a subsea location; recovering a plurality ofautonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) into the underwater base while theunderwater base is coupled to the surface vessel, wherein each AUVcomprises one or more seismic sensors and a propulsion system; andlifting the underwater base from the subsea location to the surfacevessel with the plurality of AUVs.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising guiding the plurality of AUVs to the underwater base based oncommunications provided by the underwater base.
 17. The method of claim15, further comprising storing the plurality of AUVs in one or morestacks in the underwater base.
 18. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising detecting and identifying each of the plurality of AUVs asthe AUV enters the underwater base.
 19. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising instructing each of the plurality of AUVs to turn off itspropulsion system as the AUV enters the underwater base.
 20. The methodof claim 15, wherein the recovery step is performed sequentially foreach of the plurality of AUVs.